Paperboard container



April 27, 1954 J. ARGODALE PAPERBOARD CONTAINER Filed May 26, i 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l II I 11/! 11 April 27, 1954 J. ARGODALE 2,676,749

PAPERBOARD CONTAINER Filed May 26, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 [l' i IHM H i ,1?!

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Aprii 27, 1954 J. ARGODALE 2,676,749

PAPERBOARD CONTAINER Filed Marv 26, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 each end of the container.

terior of the container.

Patented Apr. 27, 1954 2,676,749 I C E PAPERBOARD CONTAINER John Argodale, Benton Harbor, Mich., assignor to Twin Cities Container Corporation, Benton Harbor, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application Mayan 1951, Serial No. 228,428

2 claims: (01. 229-34) This invention relates generally to paperboard containers made from a single cut and scored sheet. v v j I In carrying out the invention a single sheet of paper or corrugated board is cut and scored to provide a bottom panel formed integrally with side panels which are folded upon themselves, and in such a fashion as to embrace flap extensions' formed on end panels which are integral with the bottom panel, thereby providing side walls'of the container formed from three thicknesses of the folded cut and scored sheet. The inside facing panel of one of the folded side panels is provided with flap extensions folded along the inside of the end panels, and themsidefacing panel of the other folded side panels is provided with flap extensions folded along the inside of the end panels and between thegpther flap extension and the end panel, thereby? providing three thicknesses of sheet material for Each of said latter flap extensions are cut to a dimension so that the top edges thereof lie below the top edge of the end panel and the top edge of the other flap extension except for a central tongue having a top edge lying flush with the top edge of the end panel and the other flap extension. The under cut top edges of the so intermediate placed flap extensions provide bearing support for a top closure resting on the top folded edges of the side panels and having turned down end ila'ps resting on the intermediately placed flap extensions, so that the loads on the top closure incident to stacking the packed containers may be transmitted in part by the turned down end flaps into the intermediate placed flap extensions. By so providing the tuck-in feature, the

top closure is held in place without the use 'of tape, and the stacking strength of the container is enhanced as compared to a container having a loose, fiat cover.

.The embodiment according to the present invention is further characterized by the provision of handle elements capable of proportioning the weight of the loaded basket, the handle elements each being formed with bent wire members underlying the folded over side panels. The in termediate flap extensions of the end panels are cut so as to provide for pivotal movement of each handle element into a flat position atop the cover for stacking, or for a telescoping movement of the ends of each handle element into a space between the folded over side panels of the container.

The container according to th present invention is further characterized by the provision of ventilating passageways formed between the folded over side panels, the flap extensions of the end panels and the inside facing panels being formed with apertures inregister with respect to each other, thereby forming ventilating openings from said passageways to the in- The center of the lower edge of the inside facing panel may also be formed with a cutout portion in register with a gap between the contiguous ends of the flap extensions of the end panels, thus providing a further ventilating opening from said passageway to the interior of the container. Such ventilating'openings to the interior of the container are thus provided while at all times protecting the contents of the container against contact with objects outside of the carton.

With the foregoing objects in mind it as principal object of this invention to provide a container made from a cut and scored sheet and having a triple thickness wall for effective stack ing of the loaded container.

Another object is to provide a tuckin cover so that the stacking loads on the cover may be transmitted completely into the 'end and side walls of the container thereby adding to the ability of the packed container to be stacked one on top of the other.

Another object is to provide a double handle support having offset portions adapted to'enter an aperture formed midway of the top fold of the sides and to extend on each side of the aperture between and under the top fold, and to employ such a handle construction without interfering with an intermediate wall extending between the folded side wall of the container.

Yet another object comprehends the provision of a ventilating passageway between the outer and inner side walls of the container and the provision of register openings in the inner side wall and an intermediate side wall for conducting ventilating air to the interior of the container.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a ventilating opening in the inner side wall in register with the space between the end wall flap extensions and intersecting the passageway between the outer and inner side walls to pro-' vide for additional ventilating air to the interior of the container.

Other objects and important features of the invention herein will be apparent from a study of the specification following taken with the several drawings which together illustrate a "preferred embodiment of the invention and what is now considered to be the best mode practicing th principles' thereof. Other embodiments 'of the invention will be apparent to those having the teachings of the within specificationand it Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the steps in folding the cut and scored sheet of Fig. 2, together with a perspective view of the handle support elements, to obtain the container shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the plane 4-4 of Fig. 1 showing the construction of the inner and outer side walls and the end wall flap extensions forming the intermediate side Walls;

Fig. 5 is a section taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 showing details of construction of the top closure and the manner in which the end tabs thereof bear against the top of the flap extensions of one of the inner sidewalls;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the nearest in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a section taken through the side wall of the container of Fig. 1 along the line 1-] looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section along the line 8-8 of Fig. '7 looking in the direction of the arrows;

corner of the container shown is a horizontal section taken through a portion of the side and the end walls of the container according to the present invention looking in the direction of the arrows 9--3 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a top closure for the container of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the several drawings, the improved container according to the present invention is indicated by the reference number I i, and is formed from a cut and scored sheet 12 as seen in Fig. 2. The cut and scored sheet 12 defines a bottom panel is and end panels 14 and I6 which are folded up into position along score lines If and 18 to provide outer end walls of the container l I. The end panel I4 is provided with flap extensions l9 and 2| which are folded respectively along score lines 22 and 23 and to extend along score lines 24 and 26 of the bottom panel [3. The end panel 16 is likewise provided with fiap extensions 21 and 28 folded along score lines 29 and 3| to extend inwardly along score lines 24 and 26, respectively, of the bottom panel 13.

As seen also in Fig. 12 is formed with an outer side panel 32 and an inner side panel 33. The outer side panel 32 is folded into a vertical position along the score line 24, and the inner panel 33 is folded back upon the outer side panel 32 along a double score line 34 to embrace the end wall flap extensions l9 and 21 therebetween. The inner side panel 33 is formed with flaps 36 and 31 which are folded respectively along score lines 36 and 33, so that the flaps and 31 are in position along the inner faces of the end panels l4 and I6 respectively.

The cut and scored sheet i2 is likewise formed with an opposite outer side panel 4| and an opposite inner side panel 42. The outer side panel 4| is folded into a vertical position along the score line 26, and the inner side panel is folded back upon the outer side panel 4| along a double score line 43 to embrace the end wall flap extensions 2! and 28 therebetween. The inner side panel 42 is also formed with flaps 44 and 4B which are folded respectively along score lines 41 and 48 so that the flaps 44 and 46 are in position along the inner faces of the flaps 36 and 31 respectively.

From the description thus far it will be seen that there has been provided a container formed from a single cut and scored sheet having side and end walls of three thicknesses of the sheet material, thus affording greatly increased 3, the cut and scored sheet strength of the container particularly as respects the ability to withstand the loads incident to stacking loaded containers one on top of another.

Referrin now particularly to Figs. 1, 4 and 1 of the drawings, the container according to the present invention is adapted to be fitted with a closure so constructed and arranged with the container that the load incident to stacking the loaded containers one on top of another may be transmitted in part by the closure into the end walls of the container. As seen in Fig. 10, there is provided a top closure indicated generally by the reference numeral 56 formed from a sheet of paperboard and scored lengthwise thereof along a score line 5| for a purpose as will appear. The closure is formed with end ears or tabs 52, 53, 54 and 56, tabs 52 and 53 being adapted to be bent down between the end panel l4 and the inside flap 44, and tabs 54 and 53 being adapted to be bent down between end panel :6 and the inside flap 46.

In order that the tabs 52 and 53 may be enabled to transmit the loads incident upon the closure 56 into the intermediate flap 35, the flap 36 is undercut to an edge 59 below the top edge of the container I! and with a central tongue 58, the dimensions being so chosen that the closure 55 ma rest upon the top edge of container H with the turned down tabs 52 and :53 in firm bearing engagement with the edge 59 of flap 4B. The flap 3'! is likewise undercut to an edge 59 with a central tongue 6|, so that the turned down tabs 54 and '56 are in firm bearing contact with the edges 59.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 10 the closure 56 is provided with cutouts 62 so that the closure may be removed from the container H, and side cutouts 63 to provide clearance for a double handle or lifting bail 64. It will be seen that the closure 56 may be placed in position by first bending along the score line 5! and then inserting the tabs 54 and 56 in position on each side of the central tongue 6|, and between the end panel 46 and the flap 46, the operation being completed by inserting the tabs 52 and 53 between the end panel i4 and the flap 44 and then forcing the closure into a flat position contacting the top edges of the container all around the edges thereof.

The cutouts 62 also afford a means of ventilation of the contents of the container H, and the closure may further be provided with a central window as shown in dotted outline if desired, for further ventilation of the contents. The central Window 50 also affords a means of visual inspection of the contents of the container.

The container I l is adapted to be carried by a simple handle formed from a pair of lifting bails 64. Each bail 64 has a horizontal handle section 66 and a vertical leg 6'! and an offset foot 63 adapted to be introduced through apertures 69 formed midWay of the length of the double score lines 34 and 43 and to bear against the underside of the score lines 34 and 43 between panels 32 and 33 and panels 41 and 42 respectively. By the provision of a pair of bails the loaded container is supported upon four ofiset feet bearing against the top folds, the provision of the pair of side by side bails also insuring against twisting out of position as would be the case in providing a single bail with feet in opposite direction.

The lifting bails 64 are enabled to be retracted against the closure 56 for shipping or stackin purposes if necessary, and to this end the flaps l9 and 21 extending between the folded over side panels 32 and 33 are relieved as at H. The flaps 2i and 28 extending between the folded over side panels 4! and 42 are likewise relieved as at 12. The laterally extending feet 68 of the ball 64 are thus enabled to be moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 8 with the horizontal handle section 36 in position retracted against the closure 50.

In order to provide ventilating air to the contents of the loaded container II the interior side panels are provided with apertures in register communicating with ventilating passageways formed between the outer side panels and the intermediate flap extensions of the end panels. As seen in Fig. 9, by way of example, the outer end wall 4| and the flap extension 28 of the end wall 16 are spaced slightly from each other to define a passageway 13 extending the length of the container l I The inner side wall 42 and the flap extension 28 of the end wall 16 are provided with apertures 14 which may preferably be located near the end of the box II when in the assembled condition. Th apertures 12 are in register and communicate with the ventilating channel 13 to provide for circulation of air from without the box II t the interior thereof.

As seen also with respect to Fig. 4 the inside wall 33 and the flap extension 21 of the end wall l6 are also provided with registering apertures 14 opening on to the ventilating passageway 13 formed between the outer side wall 32 and the flap extension 21. As seen also with respect to Fig. 2, the other end of the carton may be also so arranged with registering apertures 16 communicating with the ventilating passageway 13 formed between the outer side wall 33 and the flap extension IQ of the end wall panel l4, and also communicating with the ventilating passageway 13 formed between the outer side wall 4| and the flap extension 2| of the end wall panel [4.

Additional ventilation is provided for the interior of the container II by arcuate notches 11 and 18 cut in the lower edge of the inner side walls 33 and 42 respectively. Notch 11 is in register with the clearance provided between the contiguous ends of the flaps l9 and 21 therefor communicating with the ventilating passageway 13 formed inside of the outer wall 32. Notch 18 is also in register with the clearance provided between the contiguous ends of the flaps 2i and 28 so as to communicate with the other ventilating channel formed inside of the outer wall 4|.

It will be seen from the foregoing that there has been provided a novel and useful container formed from a single cut and scored sheet and characterized by having side and end walls formed of three thicknesses of sheet material. The interior faces of said side and end walls are smooth and unbroken except for the apertures therein providing for ventilation of the contents thereof, such ventilation being accomplished without the necessity of exposing the contents of the container to the possibility of direct contact with objects outside of the container. The end walls include an intermediatethickness of sheet material providing bearing surfaces of tuck-in tabs of a top closure adapted to transmit the loads incident to stacking into the sides and ends of the container, the tuck-in tabs and the central tongues of the intermediate end wall serving both as a means for transmitting the stacking loads into the end walls as well as looking the top 010- sure in position, thereby making unnecessary the use of sealing tapes. The supporting handles for the container are adapted to be swiveled to be flat or to be retracted between the side walls to be flat in position on top of the container closure, so that the container and contents may be stacked in such position of the supporting handles, if desired.

While the invention has been described in terms of an embodiment found desirable as a commercial form thereof, it is not intended that the invention be limited by the form disclosed herein nor otherwise than by the terms of the claims here appended.

I claim:

1. A container comprising a bottom panel, a pair of outside end walls folded upward from said bottom panel, flap extensions from each side of said end walls folded into position along said bottom panel so as to provide intermediate side reinforcing walls, side panels extending from said bottom panel and folded upon themselves so as to provide inner and outer side walls embracing said intermediate side reinforcing walls, flaps extending from each end of said inner side walls and folded along the inner side of said outside end walls to provide intermediate and inside end reinforcing walls, said outer side walls and said intermediate side reinforcing walls being spaced slightly from each other to afford a passageway for ventilating air, apertures formed in said inner side walls and said intermediate side reinforcing walls in register with each other and communicating with said ventilating passageway for conducting ventilating air to the contents of said container, and a further aperture in said inner side Wall and in register with a clearance space between contiguous ends of said intermediate side reinforcing walls to provide a passageway communicating with said ventilating passageway for additionalventilation of the contents of said container.

2. A container comprising a bottom panel, a pair of outside end walls folded upward from said bottom panel, flap extensions from each side of said end walls folded into position along said bottom panel so as to provide intermediate sidereinforcing walls, side panels extending from said bottom panel and folded upon themselves so as to provide inner and outer side walls embracing said intermediate side-reinforcing walls, flaps extending from each end of said inner side walls and folded along the inner side of said outside end walls to provide intermediate and inside end reinforcing walls, said outer side walls and said intermediate side reinforcing walls being spaced slightly from each other to aiford a pasageway for ventilating air, and apertures formed in said inner side walls and said intermediate side reinforcing walls in register with each other and communicating with said ventilating passageway for conducting ventilating air to the contents of said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,931,330 Sherman Oct. 17, 1933 2,039,971 Meinhardt May 5, 1936 2,167,936 Brooks Aug. 1, 1939 2,218,360 Rokol Oct. 15, 1940 2,375,843 Gottlieb May 15, 1945 2,468,951 Barter May 3, 1949 2,578,060 Grant i Dec. 11, 1951 

